Ladysmith Black Mambazo performs music of unity and hope

Media Contact:

Kristen Gleason
Director of Marketing
The Paramount Theater
215 East Main Street
Charlottesville, VA 22902
434.979.1922 ext. 103
kristen@theparamount.net

For Immediate Release

January 16, 2008

It has been over twenty years since Paul Simon made his initial trip to South Africa and met Joseph Shabalala and other members of Ladysmith Black Mambazo in a Johannesburg recording studio. Captivated by the group’s stirring sound of bass, alto and tenor harmonies, Simon incorporated these traditional South African sounds into his 1986 Graceland album, a project regarded by many as seminal to today's explosive interest in world music.

Embodying the time-honored culture long suppressed in the old South Africa, these Grammy-winning artists marry the intricate rhythms and harmonies of their native landscape with the sentiments of Christian gospel, creating a repertoire that inspires and unifies, overcoming cultural and religious division.

Ladysmith Black Mambazo will appear in an unforgettable Paramount Theater concert on Tuesday, January 22 at 8 pm.

This event is sponsored by Dominion Digital. Special Media Sponsor is WCNR 106.1 The Corner.

Regarded as the country's cultural emissary at home and around the world, the traditional music sung by Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Isicathamiya (is-cot-a-me-ya), was born in the mines of South Africa. Black workers taken by rail to work far away from their families brought a singing tradition back with them. Fierce, but social competitions among singing groups, held regularly, became a highlight of everyone's social calendar.

In the late 1950's, founder Joseph Shabalala took advantage of his proximity to the city of Durban to seek work in a factory. Leaving the family farm was not easy, but it was during this time that he first showed a talent for singing. After singing with several groups in Durban he returned to his hometown of Ladysmith and began to put together groups of his own.

He was rarely satisfied with the results. "I felt there was something missing. I tried to teach the music that I felt but I failed, until 1964, when a harmonious dream came to me. I always heard the harmony from that dream and I said 'This is the sound that I want and I can teach it to my guys'."

In the early years, Shabalala recruited family and friends -- brothers Headman, Ben and Jockey, cousins Albert and Abednego Mazibuko, and others. Shabalala taught the group the harmonies from his dreams. With time and patience, his work began to gel into a special sound.

The name Ladysmith Black Mambazo came about as a result of the group winning every singing competition which they entered. "Ladysmith" is the hometown of the Shabalala family; "Black" references the black oxen, considered to be the strongest on the farm. The Zulu word "Mambazo" refers to an ax -- symbolic of the group's ability to "chop down" the competition. So good were they that after a time they were forbidden to enter the competitions but welcomed, of course, to entertain at them.

The number one-selling group from Africa, they have sold over seven million records at home and abroad, recorded over forty albums, won two Grammy Awards, and been nominated for eleven additional Grammys. The group’s newest recording, Ilembe: Honoring Shaka Zulu (released January 15, 2008), celebrates one of the greatest leaders in African history.

Shaka Zulu’s sense of discipline, creativity, leadership, and pride is symbolic of the same spirit that enabled South Africans to persevere amid European domination of their homeland for nearly two centuries of apartheid. The new album’s title translates to “The Greatest Warrior” and either directly or indirectly, each of the tracks speaks to Shaka’s rare combination of attributes and how they resonate in contemporary society -- not just for South Africans, but for the world in general.

“There are still many people who need to be filled with the spirit of unity and hope that Shaka embodied,” Shabalala says. “We are trying to remind people of the importance of what this man did. That was my purpose, to bring the people back to the roots of their culture.”

The group has recorded with numerous artists from around the world including Stevie Wonder, Josh Groban, Dolly Parton, Ben Harper, Mavis Staples, Andreas Vollenweider, The Wynans, The Coors, and George Clinton. In 1993, at Nelson Mandela's request, Ladysmith Black Mambazo accompanied the future President to the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony in Oslo, Norway. Mambazo sang again at President Mandela's inauguration in May of 1994.

The group has also performed for Pope John Paul II and at the 1996 Summer Olympics. In the summer of 2002, Ladysmith Black Mambazo was again asked to represent their nation for the celebration of Queen Elizabeth II's 50th anniversary as monarch, performing alongside Eric Clapton, Rod Stewart, Phil Collins, and Sir Paul McCartney.

As Shabalala has said, "To think of all the people we have met over the years. People from North America, Europe, Asia, Australia. Presidents, dignitaries, movie stars ... It is quite a dream for a Zulu South African to dream."

Seats are still available for the January 22 performance with Ladysmith Black Mambazo. Tickets are $42.50, $45.50, $48.50, and $53.50. A Youth/Child price of $30.50 is offered to those aged 12 and under. Half-price student rush tickets (pending availability) and group discounts are also offered.

Tickets are available online or through The Paramount’s Box Office at 434.979.1333.

For more information about Ladysmith Black Mambazo, please visit www.mambazo.com.